Photos From The 2010 Olympia

I won't torture you with my photos . . .

Here are 180 of them taken by a professional.

Highly recommended:  http://secondfocus.blogspot.com/2010/09/mr-olympia-2010-finals-photos.html

Train hard; diet harder.

Jim

Travel: How To Get On A Plane And Not Get Off Sick

Returned to San Miguel last night . . .


The week at Olympia in Las Vegas was terrific -- learned a lot, saw a lot, and as always, I just like Vegas.

The only downside to the trip started at the beginning the trip -- a woman seated directly behind me on the flight from Houston to Las Vegas was coughing, sneezing -- she was clearly sick.

And, she made me sick.

This happens more than occasionally and leads me to the conclusion that traveling is not healthy.  In addition to catching a cold or the flu, there is the issue of exercise, or the lack thereof, the impact of changing time zones on sleep, and the seating which, unless you fly first class everywhere you go, is bad for posture and the back.  

Like most of you, however, a good deal of my earnings are the result of traveling, so I travel.   

How best to travel and not get sick?

Contrary to popular opinion, you're not likely to get sick from someone 10 rows away from you on the plane.  Rather, the risk of onboard transmission of infection is mainly restricted to individuals with either personal contact, or seated within two rows of an infected passenger on flights longer than eight hours, according to Dr. Mark Gendreau, senior staff physician at Lahey Clinic and author of a recent study on medical issues on flights.

Typically, airplane air – about half from outside and half recycled after being passed through filters – enters at the top of the cabin. From there, the ventilation system keeps it from flowing forward and backward in the plane, limiting it mostly to the immediate row, before exiting through grilles in the cabin floor, which means not everyone breathes the same air.

Tips to staying well . . .

1.  Do not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth during the flight.  (Infection occurs when viruses or bacteria are sprayed from infected people in droplets from a cough or sneeze. The pathogens can then be picked up when passengers touch their tray table or the arm of their seat, and then rub their eyes).

2.  Wash your hands frequently or use a sanitizing gel during flight.  

3.  Stay hydrated in the arid cabin environment.  (I've found that if I'm in coach class they are never going to bring me enough water to stay hydrated and so I bring a 2-liter bottle of water with me.)

Even with these precautions, you may find someone seated in the same row or next row who is sick.  In the future, no more Mr. nice guy.  I'm going to ask to be reseated and I'm not going to be hesitant about saying why.

More on traveling and staying healthy in future blogs.

Train hard; diet harder.

Jim

Day 7: Olympia: Seminar

Today ends the 2010 Olympia experience . . .

At 11 a.m. we attended a seminar put on by the winners of the various competitions.

There were a few good tips but mostly it was an opportunity for these champions to express their feelings about winning in a misunderstood sport.

This afternoon we did a final bit of shopping and we're off to watch Bill Maher tonight and on an early plane in the morning.

I'll give some thought to what I learned that is worth sharing over the next couple of days and share it in this blog.

In the meantime, thanks for following.

Train hard; diet harder.

Jim

Day 6 (Post-Show): Olympia: Jay Cutler Takes His Fourth

Back to the condo from the Olympia show at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas . . .

It was all I'd hoped for . . .

A close contest -- Jay Cutler retained his title, followed by Phil Heath, a close second, and Branch Warren, who placed third.

Many thought Phil won it, but when its close, the tie goes to the champion and that's what happened here.

Most memorable from this evening was seeing all 12 Olympia winners on one stage at one time.  Actually, it was 11 of 12 with the 12th (Arnold Schwarzenegger) sending a videotape.  From 1965 until today, there have only been 12 winners of this Superbowl of professional physique competition.

Until recently, not even the very best could make a living at bodybuilding and most professionals still can't.  It means they have the dedication and commitment to do it even though most are working day jobs.  It means they love what they do and that's a rare gift.

Tomorrow will be the last Olympia event -- a seminar given by some of the competitors on training and diet.

We'll be there and report back what we learn.

Train hard; diet harder.

Jim

Day 6 (Pre-Show): Olympia: Expo Day 2/Samir Bannout/Jamie Eason

Got up this morning.  Have a cold.

While I like getting to where I'm going, I hate travel.  People get on planes sick; they know they're sick; they know they're going to get you sick, and they don't care.

Well, being in shape has a lot of advantages, one of which is I can pretty much ignore the cold, which is what I'm trying to do.

We went to the gym this morning -- arms.  Good workout.

Then, after a meal in the room we went to the Expo at Las Vegas Convention Center.  Even bigger than yesterday.  Fortunately, with the VIP passes, we got free run of the place for 30 minutes before the public made their way in.  Picked up some knee wraps.  Kelly got a rag or two and we loaded up on t-shirts for our friends at the home gym in San Miguel.  We have 20 pound bag full of free supplements we collected, too.  Plus what we ate while we were there . . . I'm going to have some penitence to pay next week . . .

At the Expo, I met Samir Bannout, the "Lion of Lebanon" who won Mr. Olympia in 1983.  A very nice guy, generous with his time . . .

Walking the convention center, I looked up and saw Jamie Eason -- one of the better known figure models around.  She, too, was kind and as cute as her photos . . .

Makes me want to stop staring at the floor . . .  ;)

Got photos from the pre-judging this afternoon.  Jay Cutler is in the battle of his professional life this year.  Phil Heath looks awesome.  For those with Facebook, these are likely 6 of the top 10 . . .

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5298445&id=192666161278&ref=fbx_album&fbid=436886196278

Did cardio early afternoon followed by some time at the pool.  The Vegas sun is, in a word, HOT.  

Then enjoyed a major protein infusion at an Asian buffet mid-afternoon and now we're back in the condo getting ready to head over to see what we came here for -- the men's Olympia finals.  

More later . . .

Day 5: Olympia: Shoulders, Expo and Frank Zane

Big day today in Las Vegas.

Cardio this morning first thing.

Then to the convention center for the Olympia Expo.  It's a huge giveaway -- supplements, magazines, and lots of contests.  Walking down an aisle I saw Frank Zane.  He was a hero of mine back in the 70's, a three-time Mr. Olympia.

Then to Gold's - Sahara for a challenging shoulder/trap routine.  Here's a photo of this hard-core gym . . .

Then off to a late lunch, back to the hotel for a couple of hours in the sun by the pool and then off to a show tonight.

But tomorrow night is the real show -- Mr. Olympia.  More then . . .

Train hard; diet harder.

Jim

Day 4: Olympia: Press Conference and Meeting The Guys

Today was an off day from the gym and a good thing -- we were busy all day.  We did cardio this morning before going to the Olympia press conference but after that it was full speed ahead until now -- about 10 p.m. Las Vegas time . . .

The press conference featured all 22 contestants -- everyone had a chance to speak.  And, I was impressed for the most part.  Most outside physique competition believe the body building culture is all about ego, but you would have never guessed it hearing these competitors speak.  Except for one rookie, the word of the day was humility.  Each expressed gratefulness to be able to compete at this level, acknowledged that on any given day anyone of them could win, and importantly, that they didn't think about the others and what they were doing or had done, but only about bringing their own best to the show.

After a little sushi and shopping this afternoon, it was back to meet some of the guys this evening, including Jay Cutler (current Mr. Olympia) and Dexter Jackson (Mr. Olympia 2008).  Both were gracious and, while confident, nothing was assumed.  Both are quiet and serious.

Tomorrow begins the Expo -- we will be there first thing -- everything new will be on display, including foods, supplements and equipment.  A lot of the former champions will be there pitching for whoever is paying them at the moment and it is good to revisit history with them.

Until tomorrow, good night.

Jim